Sask. family revisits legislature following eviction
Things have gone from bad to worse for a Regina family that came to the legislative building for housing help. They were being evicted from low cost housing over a rent misunderstanding. Now, social services warns that they could be cut off welfare.
Frank Francouer was back at the legislative building on Thursday, this time with a letter from Social Services warning him that he may be cut off from income assistance.
“On the letter it says I have until June 15 to provide a new address, otherwise my July benefits will be suspended,” he said.
Earlier this month, the disabled single father of two came to the legislative building after receiving an eviction notice from Regina Housing. He had not been charged enough rent and now owes just over $1,000, which he doesn’t have. Families left without an address don’t qualify for a social assistance cheque.
“I didn’t get the assurance from the minister’s office after I sat down with them. I explained to them everything. They had no concern walking out of the meeting that there was any outstanding information that they needed from me,” he said.
The NDP opposition is trying to help the family keep a roof over their heads.
“Instead of an effort to keep a roof over his family’s head or providing support for his rental arrears or any recognition that SIS is not enough for people to live on, this government cut him off his benefits three days ago,” said NDP MLA Meara Conway.
The Minister of Social Services, Lori Carr, believes the situation can be sorted out.
“With income assistance clients who have a change in circumstances, we request information from them, give them a certain amount of time to get that information to us so they’re just given notice that if the information doesn’t come, you could be cut off of benefits,” she said.
The Francouer family has been looking for a new place to live but said Social Services won’t cover security deposits or moving expenses. They’re packed and ready to leave on a moment’s notice but don’t know where they will be going.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
1 killed, 3 injured in head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.